Such potential for serious injury.  We regularly see MLB runners sliding into home with the bat dangerously still in the box.  As youth we were taught to not drop the bat at the plate, but toss it to the side as we took steps toward 1st.  In high school ball it became the on deck batter’s responsibility to clear it as a last resort.  Often times the umpires would toss it aside when action was anticipated.  Seems like in MLB it often isn’t being done by anyone.  Whose job is it to clear the plate of a dropped bat?

Greatly suspected this topic might not generate much response (MLB thread and all); but I was hoping someone would answer the question.  Afraid someone is going to get hurt if these bats don’t get cleared.

Is this addressed anywhere in the rules?

17 hours ago, Oldercoach said:

Such potential for serious injury.  We regularly see MLB runners sliding into home with the bat dangerously still in the box.  As youth we were taught to not drop the bat at the plate, but toss it to the side as we took steps toward 1st.  In high school ball it became the on deck batter’s responsibility to clear it as a last resort.  Often times the umpires would toss it aside when action was anticipated.  Seems like in MLB it often isn’t being done by anyone.  Whose job is it to clear the plate of a dropped bat?

First, I don't watch baseball as much as I used but still watch Reds games almost daily. I cannot remember the last time I saw a bat anywhere near home plate with a runner sliding into home. It has been years. Did this happen recently that caused you to ask the question?

But, moving on to your question. It isn't written in the rules that I know of. Generally, the on deck batter should look to do that to protect his teammate from possible injury. Catchers and umpires may move the bat if it is in the home plate area but they are not responsible for it. Umpires are only going to do that if they clearly have time based on what is happening in the field of play. And even they they have no responsibility to do it. 

1 hour ago, Voice of Reason said:

First, I don't watch baseball as much as I used but still watch Reds games almost daily. I cannot remember the last time I saw a bat anywhere near home plate with a runner sliding into home. It has been years. Did this happen recently that caused you to ask the question?

But, moving on to your question. It isn't written in the rules that I know of. Generally, the on deck batter should look to do that to protect his teammate from possible injury. Catchers and umpires may move the bat if it is in the home plate area but they are not responsible for it. Umpires are only going to do that if they clearly have time based on what is happening in the field of play. And even they they have no responsibility to do it. 

Have seen Reds runners coming home at least half a dozen times with bat in the box.  Either Benson or DelaCruz slid and reached over the bat for plate touch in the last two weeks.  Today the ump threw the bat away when Reds scored tying run in 3rd on Hays(?) single.

3 hours ago, theguru said:

Is this addressed anywhere in the rules?

No rule, just part of the game taught as fundamental to protecting your teammate.

On 7/12/2025 at 7:45 PM, Oldercoach said:

Such potential for serious injury.  We regularly see MLB runners sliding into home with the bat dangerously still in the box.  As youth we were taught to not drop the bat at the plate, but toss it to the side as we took steps toward 1st.  In high school ball it became the on deck batter’s responsibility to clear it as a last resort.  Often times the umpires would toss it aside when action was anticipated.  Seems like in MLB it often isn’t being done by anyone.  Whose job is it to clear the plate of a dropped bat?

As a catcher if it had potential to be in the way, I'd kick it out of the way if it was around the plate/batters box.

As a batter, sometimes I might try & get it dropped in the area of the bounce of a possible throw out in front of the plate.  Not crazy far out, but far enough the catcher wouldn't think about going to move it.

Most on deck batters are spectators in this type of play when they should be hustling up there to not only get the bat out of the way if necessary, but to "guide/coach" their teammate who is trying to score (up, down, inside, outside).

On deck batter should be behind the plate telling the runner slide or standing up.  I don't like them getting the bat because it adds another body into the mix and poor timing can result in interference, etc.

A catcher can kick it out of the way if possible.  But that also can briefly put them out of position.  Same for an umpire.  

Good question and I think there are three folks that can, but I can argue why all three should not.  Perhaps we need to go to the "Richie" method and carry it to first.